“Run Afoul”
The Daily Caller News Foundation was informed by organizations like Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that the DNC platform demonstrates that the Democrat’s proposals “run afoul” of Second Amendment safeguards.
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The platform, which was made public ahead of the August 19 convention, stated that Democrats would “pass a national red flag law to prevent tragedies by keeping weapons out of dangerous hands” and would increase ATF funding for “enforcement and prosecution.”
2020 Platform Support Reiteration
The DNC also reiterated their support for an “assault weapons” ban, a “high-capacity” magazine ban, removing gun manufacturers’ liability protections, and requiring “safe” gun storage in their 2020 platform.
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Aidan Johnston, director of federal affairs at Gun Owners of America (GOA), told the Daily Caller News Foundation, “Tim Walz lied when he said ‘no one wants to take your guns,’ and that could not be made more clear by this DNC platform.”
“Second Amendment is on the Ballot”
Johnston claims the platform “is loaded with blatantly unconstitutional policies that won’t do anything to stop crime or make America safer.”
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“GOA just hosted our inaugural convention down in Knoxville, and it’s clear based on the response from thousands of our members that they’re fired up heading into this election—gun owners know the Second Amendment is on the ballot.”
“DNC Agenda”
Johnston continued, “We will continue to push back on this DNC agenda through campaign action, lobbying efforts, and if necessary, legal challenges in defense of Americans’ Second Amendment rights. We cannot afford to compromise.”
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One such legal challenge Johnston may be referring to is the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act which was passed by House Democrats in 2021.
Stalling in the Senate
The bill said that family members and law enforcement could petition judges to take guns from people they thought were “a risk to themselves or others.”
Patrick Leahy Senate staffer
Since being referred to the Judiciary Committee in 2022, the bill has not received any attention from the Senate.
“Constitutionally-Protected Rights”
Mark Oliva, managing director for public affairs at the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), made a statement to the DCNF.
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“NSSF is not surprised by the DNC platform that includes gun control at the cost of fundamental and Constitutionally-protected rights.”
NSSF Claims
Oliva went on to state, “The sort of ‘red flag’ laws for which the DNC advocates are devoid of protections for Due Process rights.”
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Oliva told the DCNF that the NSSF has been advocating for years for more money for the ATF to avoid delays and keep the firearms industry running smoothly, but that Democrats would use the money to prosecute ordinary Americans.
“‘Zero-Tolerance’ Policies”
Oliva stated to the DCNF, “The funding for which the DNC wants would only be applied to doubling down of the Biden-Harris ‘zero-tolerance’ policies that have seen hundreds of small businesses lose or surrender their federal firearms licenses for minor clerical errors.”
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“The Biden-Harris administration has weaponized the ATF as a tool by which they can suppress lawful firearm ownership in America.”
Difficult to Enforce
Experts who spoke with the DCNF stated that it would likely be difficult to enforce an assault weapons ban and that it would be unconstitutional.
Wikimedia Commons user Coolcaesar
Furthermore, a 2024 meta-investigation by the RAND Corporation observed that evidence was inconclusive on whether assault weapons bans would diminish gun-related homicides.
“Usual Talking Points”
Adam Kraut, executive director of the Second Amendment Foundation, stated to the DCNF, “Many of the provisions are part of the same old gun-banning wish list that comprise the usual talking points for anti-gun politicians who prefer to blame gun ownership than the criminal.”
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“The new platform demonstrates the DNC would rather ban the most popular rifle in America instead of prosecuting criminals.”
“Hold Criminals Accountable”
The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), as stated in the bill’s text, protects gun manufacturers from liability for crimes committed with their firearms.
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According to Oliva, the Democrats would rather bring criminals who own guns to justice than prosecute gun manufacturers.
Oliva stated to the DCNF, “The DNC would rather pursue policies that violate basic understanding of tort law than hold criminals accountable for their actions.”